Admittedly, I am writing this on holiday and therefore lack the wall-to-wall searing insight from ex-pros, fans and hacks about what a shock, bordering on betrayal, it is that Gerrard, a grown man approaching middle age, might want to change his job after 16 years and his environment after a lifetime.

But... strip away the objective blindness that comes with being dazzled by his staggering wages and we are left with a man fortunate enough to be planning a family life adventure. Many would do the same if given the opportunity. Most would be wished well in both aspiration and execution – bar grandparents who will pine for their grandchildren.

Steven Gerrard in pictures

Steven Gerrard in pictures

1/11
England Under-21s

Steven Gerrard of England celebrates his 13th minute strike during the England v Luxembourg European 2000 Under-21 Qualifying match at the Madejski Stadium, Reading, England. The match finished in a 5-0 win for England

Getty Images

2/11
England 5 Germany 1

Gerrard celebrates his goal in the 5-1 win over Germany, one of his England highlights

Getty

3/11
Euro 2004 qualifiers

Gerrard celebrates after scoring the equaliser during the Euro 2004 European Championships Group 7 against Macedonia at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England

Getty Images

4/11
2006 World Cup qualifiers

Gerrard celebrates with Michael Owen during the FIFA World Cup 2006 group six qualification after scoring against Austria in Vienna

EPA

5/11
Beckham and Gerrard

David Beckham and Gerrard in England colours together. The pair were at the heart of England's 'golden generation'

Getty Images

6/11
Beckham and Gerrard

And now Gerrard could follow Beckham in a move to the MLS and LA Galaxy

GETTY

7/11
Champions League success 2005

Gerrard captained Liverpool to their famous penalty shootout European Cup victory in 2005

Getty

8/11
England Player of the Year

Gerrard was named England player of the year in 2013

AFP

9/11
2014 World Cup

Gerrard captained his country to the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil last summer

AP

10/11
An early exit

But was unable to prevent defeats to Italy and Uruguay that paved the way to England's early exit from the tournament

Getty Images

11/11
International retirement

Gerrard would go on to announce his international retirement after the ill-fated trip to Brazil

Getty Images

In 2000, I was that person: lucky enough to be offered a chance to move to New York City with my then very young daughters. We went, not for money, but in search of that same adventure, not knowing how long we would stay, or indeed if we would ever return. Why? Because the world is big. Many people would love the opportunity. So, if lucky enough to be given it, you think really hard. It might never happen again. We regret much more in life that which we don’t do.

People driven to leave their homeland due to poverty, famine or war might demur, of course. Those forcibly separated from extended families and friends may never understand the motives of those not forced to. But, all of us understand the desire to prove ourselves and provide for our family.

Lampard’s case is slightly different, given he is separated from his children’s mother, but of course wealth helps shorten that distance. He is pilloried for not yet following through on his American adventure by those who slammed him for signing up for it. Get a life, people.

He was no longer “needed” by Chelsea, so he too looked to safeguard his future. Let’s not be blinded by tribalism or money – the desire to feel vital is very human. NYC still remains on his near horizon. And, hey, Manchester is an adventure for a London boy.

Let’s take that log out of our green eyes to see more clearly that we should not damn, but rather salute them both.